So was “매일 매일 기다려” (I wait for you everyday) by Tisams, that won the 3rd prize in 1987. Back then, it was rare that a heavy metal band received such love from the public. That was the first sweetness Chae Jemin ever felt after he grabbed on a drum stick.

“모든 걸 다 이뤘다고 생각될 정도로 기뻤다. 그간 노력을 모두 보상받는 듯 했다.”

“I was so happy as if everything could come true. It felt like all the hard work was finally paid.”

It was like destiny that he came to ‘touch’ a drum. His drummer friend went to enroll the military and asked him to fill in his empty spot. In his bewilderment and jealousy looking at the older guys playing the guitar, the drum, and singing, he picked up the drum stick. After giving up boxing, this musical instrument gave Chae Jemin a new feelings.

“운동을 그만두고 삶의 흥미를 잃은 상태였다. 그래서 드럼의 매력에 단번에 빠질 수 있었다.”

“I was in a condition where I lost the passion of my life after I quit sports. That’s why I could be bewitched by the drum’s attraction is a single stroke.”

The environment was not supporting. There was limited time to practice and no one to teach. It was unavoidable he had to learn by himself in the given time. Chae Jemin chose the “regular tactics.” Just as when he was still doing sports, he had no definite plan. Even if the sun sets, he’d stay practicing till he drops. Because of this, he always had to (dead) run to the bus stop to catch the last bus home.

He kept on playing the drums after entering university. He entered the Department of Engineering in Inha Technical College. He had no interest in engineering. The reason he chose the school was simply to join the band “Tisams” in that university.

Through Gangbyeon Music Festival, Tisams became the rock band’s representative from Incheon. Including Chae Jemin, Tisams members stepped on as popular stars. Their performance was always a big success, to a degree they could have had a (girls) fan club.

“당시 최고 인기를 누리던 부활과 함께 무대에 오르기도 했다. 그때만 해도 부활 멤버가 될 줄 상상할 수 없었는데(웃음).”

“We also had the chance to be on the same stage with Boohwal, which was most popular then. Of course I would never had dreamed that I would be come Boohwal’s member then..(laughing).”

떠오른 위상은 가족들의 시선도 바꾸어놓았다. 음악을 반대했던 어머니는 곗돈으로 드럼을 선물했다.

With the rise of their status (popularity),his family looked at him differently now. His mother who didn’t approve of him doing music bought him a drum with the money she borrowed from a credit union.

“내 꿈을 인정해주시는 것 같아 너무 기뻤다. 무거운 드럼통을 이고 다녀야하는 고충이 생겼지만(웃음).”

“I was really happy because she acknowledged my dream. Although there was a problem of carrying the heavy drums around (laughing).”

Gaining popularity, Tisams were targeted by many recording labels. After a long thought, they decided to sign a contract with Asia Records and entered their training dorm for 6 months. The company put a lot of hopes on the popularity they gained from Gangbyeon Music Festival. They were always prioritize to use the music studio among the singers in the company.

However, their first album released in 1988 gave a rather disappointing response. The albums were not sold out, but worse yet broadcasting stations didn’t even call (invite) them. They would sometimes have performance in local regions, yet the band members were suffering from extreme stress. Their income were really poor the team naturally broke up.

Tisams members were scattered away. Their performance on the stage is now left a memory, but the friendship didn’t change. They sometimes have a drink together and reminisce. Although the vocalist Kim Hwa-Soo solo debut as a singer, he walked a different path after having difficulties with the recording company. Guitarist Sin Seung-Ho emigrated to the United States, and the former leader Jo Seong-Uk manages a music school while working in a Copyright Institution. Pianist An Jeong-Mo works side by side with Chae Jemin as partners running the “School Music” internet site.

“Although we broke up for we can’t maintain our popularity, I want us to keep this friendship for a long time. If we have the chance to, I’d also like to perform together with them. At least we have one song that stays in memory.”

대학 재학 시절 채제민(왼쪽)이 친구들과 작업실에서 기념사진 포즈를 취하고 있다.

=Chae Jemin in university years (left), posing with his friends in the music studio.=